Proceedings Article | 23 September 2009
KEYWORDS: Satellites, Meteorological satellites, Sensors, Ocean optics, Oceanography, Meteorology, Environmental monitoring, Earth observing sensors, Synthetic aperture radar, Microwave radiation
Based on China white paper "China's Space Activities in 2006", the five-year plan (2006-2010) of China earth
observation plan, one of them is to form 24 hours, differential-resolution environmental system for stable operation, step
by step. In this paper, the status of Chinese environment satellite mission is introduced, including meteorological satellite
series, ocean satellite series and disaster satellite series. The update properties of meteorological polar satellite FY-1D,
FY-3A, and geostationary satellite FY-2C and FY-2D and ocean satellite of HY-1B as well as HJ constellation of
disaster small satellites, which are in orbits for operation, will described in detail. The plan of satellite and their main
payloads are discussed. There are three kinds of satellite missions for environmental monitoring in China before 2020,
including meteorological satellites (10 satellites), ocean observation satellites (13 satellites) and disaster monitoring
satellite constellation (8 satellites). For meteorological satellite series, following FY-2D, FY-2E/F/G are planed to be
launched every 2 years from 2010. Following the FY-3A, the FY-3B will be launched in 2010 which are experimental
phase). The FY-3C/D/E...(operational phase) are planed, total 9 satellites which will be launched every 2 years from
2013. FY-4 is proposed to have two separate series that are the optics remote sensing series and microwave remote
sensing series. For rapid response to national marine environmental protection, development of marine resources, coastal
zones survey, management of marine resources, polar study and research etc, China plans to launch HY-1C/D, HY-1E/F
and HY-1G/H every two years from 2011, and the HY-2 A/B/C/D and HY-3A/B and CFOSAT are planed to launch.
China plans to launch disaster monitoring satellite constellation consisted of two optical satellites and one SAR satellite
in coming year, called the "2+1" project, and also another 4 optical satellites and 4 SAR satellites near future ("4+4").
The paper shows that China pays very attention to development of satellites for benefit environment monitoring.
